Nicholls Hoping For Classic Success

Paul Nicholls is hoping Eurotrek can claim a first totesport Classic Chase for the in-form trainer when he takes his chance at Warwick tomorrow.

The 10-year-old will have the assistance of Ruby Walsh, who returns to the saddle after suffering two crashing falls on New Year´s Day.

The sponsors make the recent 25-length Newbury winner 11-2 second-favourite behind Martin Pipe´s Joaaci.

'That (Newbury) was a fairly ordinary sort of contest and he went up 13lb for winning it. I thought I would leave him fresh for this race, which has always been his target,' Nicholls told Teletext.

'He disappointed first time out this season in a tongue strap, but we left that off at Newbury and he won nicely. You need a horse that stays and if Eurotrek is on song, he will run really well.

'Earthmover just got beat by The Last Fling in the race a few years ago and I have never won it, so hopefully Eurotrek can change that.'

Of the returning Walsh, he added: 'It is good to have him back. He has been riding out this week and is fit and raring to go.'

Double Honour is a 10-1 chance to improve on his third place of last year.

The admirable grey finally got his head in front at Haydock four weeks ago after getting the better of Artic Jack, who reopposes, after a long winless streak.

But Philip Hobbs had a warning for stable jockey Richard Johnson ahead of the marathon three-miles-five-furlongs race.

Double Honour needed maximum assistance from the saddle at the Merseyside venue and his rider was hard at work from some way out to get him home.

'I hope Richard has his Weetabix in the morning because he might take some riding!' said Hobbs.

'He´s fine at the moment. He went up a few pounds for his last win but you would expect that.

'He´s such an admirable sort as he keeps his form and he just loves these long-distance chases.

'He likes Warwick as he can get into a rhythm and he was placed in the race last year.'

Another horse who will be doing his best work in the closing stages is the Alan King-trained Crystal d´Ainay, who will have the benefit of a visor.

'The extended trip should suit him but there is no reason why he should be needing it. He has been doing his best work in the latter stages of his races over fences though,' the Barbury Castle handler said.

'We will put a visor on him just to sharpen him hope in the hope he doesn´t get too far behind. But his jumping has been fine.

'He is very well in compared to his hurdle mark so this looks like the best option.'

Sir Rembrandt, twice placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, will look to build on his best run for some time when he fell five out in the Welsh National, having looked booked for a place at worst.

'I´m not sure if he would have won at Chepstow but we would have been disappointed if he hadn´t made the frame,' said trainer Robert Alner.

'He´s very well at home but then we wouldn´t be running him if he wasn´t showing us the right signs.

'We know he stays the trip after he was placed in the Welsh National a couple of years ago, so that won´t be an excuse on Saturday and we are hoping for the best.

'He was disappointing early in the season but he always takes time to get fit as he needs physio on his quarter muscles, but he´s over that now.'

Ferdy Murphy´s 2004 Irish Grand National winner Granit D´Estruval also takes his chance in the race and the West Witton handler thinks he has his charge spot on.

'He´s in good health,' explained Murphy. 'His run in the Welsh National (sixth) should have put him spot on for this and we are expecting a good run.

'He had a good blow after Chepstow, it was very soft, but we expect him to improve a lot for that run.'

The in-form Dead-Eyed Dick steps up in grade and after winning over four miles last time at Exeter and the trip certainly will not bother the 10-year-old.

However, his trainer Nick Williams acknowledged his stable star could find life tough in such a high-class field.

'I´m amazed he´s such a short price to beat young improvers,' said Williams.

'I think he´s up against it as this is the strongest race he has been in and there are some young, improving horses in there.'

totesport bet: 9-4 Joaaci, 11-2 Eurotrek, 6-1 Dead-Eyed Dick, 9-1 Artic Jack, Crystal D´Ainay, 10-1 Double Honour, Control Man, 12-1 Sir Rembrandt, 16-1 Granit D´Estruval, 20-1 Shardam, 33-1 Glen Warrior, Victory Gunner, 100-1 Kittenkat.

(C) PA Sport